Seam-ripper.



E. B. HANSON.

SEAM RIPPER. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1, 1911.

1,063,436., Patented June 3, 19.13.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH 60., WASHINGTON. n c.

TTED STATES PATENT QFFTCE.

ELIZABETH E. HANSON, OF SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE.

SEAM-RIPPER.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ELIZABETH E. HAN- SON, citizen of the United States, residing at South Portland, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seam- Rippers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to seam rippers and has for its object the provision of a comparatively simple and thoroughly efiicient device of this character especially designed for use by dressmakers, tailors and other persons for ripping or opening the seams of garments and the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a seam ripper including a flat body portion or blade having an operating handle secured thereto and provided with angularly disposed cutting edges terminating in a piercing point so as to permit the blade to readily enter the seam of a garment.

A further object is to provide a seam ripper, the blade of which may be adjusted to different angular positions with relation to the operating handle, and quickly detached from said handle when it is desired to sharpen or replace the blade.

A still further object of the invention is generally to improve this class of devices so as to increase their utility, durability, and efficiency.

Further objects and advantages will appear in the following description, it being understood that various changes in form, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof, reference is to be had to the following description and accom panying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a seam ripper constructed in accordance wit-h my invention, showing the manner of using the same; Fig. 2- is a side elevation of the ripper partly in section; Fig. 3 is a top plan view; Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view; Fig. 5 is a per spective view, showing the handle, blade and clamping screw detached.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawing by the same reference characters.

The improved sea-m ripper forming the subject matter of the present invention com- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 1, 1911.

Patented June 3, 1913. Serial No. 641,835.

prises a flat body portion or blade 5, preferably substantially trapezoidal in form and having its forward end provided with angularly disposed cutting edges 6 and 7 terminating in a piercing point 8 adapted to enter the seam of a garment when the tool is in use. The cutting edge 7 preferably extends the entire length of the blade 5, while the cutting edge 6 is arranged at an acute angle to the edge 7 and extends transversely of the blade for the entire width thereof. The rear end of the blade is preferably rounded at 9 so as to present a smooth surface and thus prevent said blade from catching in the cloth or fabric during the ripping operation.

Secured to the rear end of the blade 5 at the curved edge 9 thereof, is an cperatmg handle 10, the free end of which is preferably disposed substantially parallel with the upper surface of the blade 5 and is knurled or serrated at 1.1 so as to present a roughened surface to the hand and thus assist in preventing slipping of the tool when in use. The inner or fixed end of the handle 10 is bent or curved downwardly at 12 and terminates in an annular flange 13 having a fiat lower face 14: adapted to bear against the upper surface of the blade 5, there being a cylindrical bore 15 formed in the curved portion or shank 12 of the handle and opening through the flat lower face 1 1 of the flange, as shown. The wall of the bore 15 is threaded for a portion of its length as indicated at 16, for engagement with a correspondingly threaded screw 17, the latter being provided with an enlarged head 18, preferably of the same diameter as the flange 13 and adapted to bear against the lower surface of the blade 5 for the purpose of securing the handle in position thereon, the lower surface of said head being preferably curved or rounded to prevent catching in the garment and provided with a transverse kerf 19 for the reception of the bit of a screw driver.

It will here be noted that the cutting edge 7 of the blade 5 is normally disposed at an angle or inclination with respect to the length of the handle 10 so that when the tool is moved longitudinally in the act of ripping a seam, the edge 7 will produce a shear cut and thus materially facilitate the opening of said seam. It will also be noted that by inserting a screw driver in the kerf 19 of the clamping screw and loosening the latter, the blade 5 may be adjusted to different angular positions with respect to the handle so as to allow the tool to be used for ripping seams in certain portions of a garment, as for instance, in the crotch of trousers or around the arm-holes of coats where an ordinary straight handle tool could not be used. I

The curved portion of the shank 12, not only serves to space the free end of the handle from the blade, but also forms a smooth bearing surface for the thumb or finger of the operator and thus assist in guiding the tool when ripping or opening a seam. By detaching the screw 17, the blade 5 may be removed from the handle 10 to permit sharpening of the blade or replacement of a new blade, when necessary.

The flange l3 and head 18 of the screw, by engagement with the opposite faces of the blade,'not only serve to clamp the blade in position on the handle, but also serve to re inforce said blade and prevent bending at the rear end thereof.

lVhile the tool is principally designed for ripping or opening the seams of garments and the like, it is obvious that the device may be used with good results for opening letters, packagesand the like, cutting fur and skins, ripping carpets, or wherever a device of this character is found desirable or applicable.

It will of course be understood that the rippers may be made in different sizes and shapes and nickeled or otherwise coated to prevent rusting and also to present a neat attractive appearance.

Having thus described the invention, whatis claimed as new is:

1. A seam ripper including an operating handle having a downwardly depending shank, and a cutting blade secured to the lower end of the shank, said shank being disposed at right angles to the plane of the blade, said blade. having adjacent cutting edges extending at an acute angle from each other, one of the cutting edges extending longitudinally throughout the length of the blade and parallel to the opposite longitudinal edge of the blade, which latter edge is blunt.

2. A seam ripper including a handle having a downwardly depending shank, and a cutting blade secured to the lower end of the shank. said shank being disposed at right angles to the plane of the blade, said blade having adjacent cutting edges extending at an acute angle from a common point, said cutting edges being formed by beveling both the upper and lower faces of the blade.

In testimony whereof, I my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ELIZABETH E. HANSON. [L. s.]

Vitnesses CHARLES L. Fos'rnn, ALEXANDER MoCUTcHEoN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gommissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

